There are many costs associated with taking a language exam, especially if it’s a household name such as IELTS or Cambridge. However, spending money on tutors or dozens of books can be avoided if you are truly dedicated to studying one way or another. Study International has concocted a list of free ways to prepare for your IELTS exam.
- Forget about subtitles
Granted, it is easier to watch movies with subtitles, but for the sake of your upcoming IELTS exam it’s better to download movie scripts and enhance your speaking skills across a variety of topics. This way you won’t be caught off-guard if you don’t have somebody to practice your English with.
If you cannot download the script, turn on the subtitles, but only if they are in English.
- Listen to speeches online
No matter what you are passionate about, there is certainly a speech in English that you will find both helpful and enticing. The Internet offers a large number of free recorded speeches [scripted], so you can listen to them and follow the transcript too.
If you want to pick up new vocabulary and even change your accent, you might want to consider mimicking the speaker in front of a mirror or a friend.
- Listen to podcasts
We usually listen to podcasts for fun, but they have other utilities too. Podcasts are free and you can listen to them while commuting, running etc. Many of them are exclusively aimed at IELTS preparation, but if you want something really useful, try the British Council Professionals Podcast, according to Study International.
- Play word games
If you don’t want to buy Scrabble, you can always download word games for your phone and start playing with friends or people from across the world [preferably native English speakers!].
The beauty of word games is that you can play whenever you decide to take a study break or when you’re in bed. Either way, it’s a fun, yet educative way to spend some of your free time.
- Record yourself speaking
Nobody likes to hear their voice, but we have to understand that it’s for a good cause this time. The best way to pick up mistakes is to record yourself speaking and listen carefully to what you are saying. You would be surprised to see how effective this method really is especially since it also gives you chance to improve your accent and pronunciation.
- Write down phrases
Writing a vocabulary list and learning it might be helpful, but it’s more effective to write down the phrase in which words on your list appear. This way you will know how to use the words you just learned.
- Watch music videos with lyrics
If you like music and not a day goes by that you do not listen to a song or watch a music video, here is a chance to prepare for your IELTS exam! Make a habit of downloading the lyrics or adding “(lyrics)” whenever you long on YouTube and you will see how easy it is to pick up words, phrases and even speaking methods.
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